James Corden had already planned to broadcast three episodes of The Late Late Show from London this week in honor of the U.K.s general election, which takes place on Thursday. But after terrorists attacked London on Saturday night, Cordens decision to bring The Late Late Show to his home city took on a different resonance.
During the introduction to the first London episode on Tuesday, Corden presented the entertainment ofThe Late Late Show as a way to hit back against terrorists who seek to sow fear. Were going to bring you the silliest, stupidest, most fun-packed shows we have ever made to celebrate London and Britain and everything it has to offer, Corden declared. And you know what? The people who carried out the attack, they would hate that.
Im so sad when I think about all the times since I took this job that I have had to open the show talking about such atrocities, Corden acknowledged on Tuesday. Trying to find the right words to say is impossible, because there are none.
But he offered his show as a tribute to British tenacity and the spirit of London. Im so proud to be broadcasting here from my hometown, Corden continued. Im proud to show off its beauty, its diversity and its stoic British determination to let nothing or anybody stand in our way. This is not a country that feels afraid.
This is not the first time Corden addressed the horrors of a terrorist attack on The Late Late Show last month, he delivered a moving eulogy for the victims of the bombing that took place at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.